Category Archives: Running

The post below is part of a series of posts about the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events for which the mama behind this blog was selected to be a 2019 Pittsburgh Marathon official blogger. She has received my race registration fee in exchange for promotion of the event. All opinions are 100% our own. This post also contains affiliate links. keep reading

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I was asked to share information on the Yinzer 5k and Lil’ Yinzer here on my blog. As I love running and our city and organizations doing good things, I agreed to let yinz know about this event!

Light of Life Rescue Mission is holding their fun run to benefit their mission (to “provide a home for the homeless and food for the hungry, and will build disciples for the Kingdom of God among the poor, addicted, abused and needy”). The event on June 16, 2018 will include a 5k run and a fun run (less than one mile) for the kids.

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In my journey to get back to the fit mom I was in 2013-14, I set my goals to run again. It’s been about two years in the making, but I think I’m finally back as a distance runner (it only took two good, long races to make me feel that way). Today’s race was the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, a fall favorite here in Pittsburgh.

As for documenting my training, it didn’t happen like it had for May’s Pittsburgh Half Marathon because life was pretty busy this fall. But if you’re following over on my Instagram (which you should be for mini blogs!), you’d see that I have been working really hard and had some really good runs the last few weeks (and had a lot of life sprinkled in between my training).

The first (and only other) time I ran the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler was its inaugural run in 2013. I was faster back then, but that pace is definitely not out of my reach for 2018! You see, I’m definitely feeling four years older and added two more kids to this family since then. But this mama is definitely back to her running game!

Friday at packet pickup, I felt on top of the world!

So how’d it go? Marvelous! I could sit here and tell you I was mad about my pace and that the wheels fell off like they did for the Half, but that wouldn’t be true. I think I was the proudest I’ve ever been of myself with the exception of the 2013 Pittsburgh Half Marathon (my first big race)! Add to this, I did it at day 5 of a sinus infection I’ve just been treating with Essential Oils and prayer as well as an achy right leg from some bumps that happened on Thursday and Saturday (I so should have bubble wrapped myself).

I opted to keep my phone off because ever since the last two updates, my Galaxy has been sucking battery life like there’s no tomorrow. Instead, I ran with my Fitbit (which is a must-have for my fitness journey and is available over on Amazon if I’ve inspired you to get moving) to keep a check on my heart rate and pace. Unfortunately, because of this, I don’t have my splits but I do have what my head and heart went through throughout.

EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler 2017

The day began at about 6, we woke up all the kids and loaded the van. The original plan was to walk from First Avenue Garage to Highmark Stadium, but the rain on our drive down changed that plan. Instead, Greg drove me as close to Station Square as he could then he back-tracked to park and head over to the Rachel Carson Bridge to cheer me on. I found my way to the corral, texted my boss to wish him luck and decided where to place myself for the best pace I could. Corral D was super empty, so I was worried I’d be right in front of the sweep vehicle!

Mile 1: This mile, basically straight up a hill then about half mile flat and another uphill through Carson Street felt so good. I’d positioned myself in front of the 11:00/mile pace group and kept them behind me for much of mile one. The 11:00/mile and 11:30/mile passed me just before the end of this mile, but my FitBit said I was doing basically 11:25.

Mile 2: West End. This is basically all uphill, too. That felt right and awesome, but I kept a back and forth with the 12:00/mile pace groups and knew my clock wasn’t quite right. I’d heard the 12:00 pace group yell “11:46” at mile one back behind me then 11:50-something at the end of mile 2 (again behind me), so I knew I was faster than I thought I could do this and happy.

Mile 3: West End Bridge, do I need to say more?

Mile 4: The climb up Western Avenue basically slowed things down a bit. I ended up walking the end of this mile for 30 seconds because that hill was biting me! I also realized how quiet the course was and it kinda bummed me out.

Mile 5: North Side // passing the Relay Exchange felt good – there’s a bit of downhill through here, so I upped my pace again and could see the 12:00/mile groups just ahead of me. I remembered passing the relay and thinking the exchange was way sooner than five miles (and it was).

Mile 6: Rachel Carson Bridge brought me to the first sight of my family. They were happy to see me twice around the Fort Duquesne Boulevard loop, and I was, too. Greg yelled that I was doing 12:12, and I shrugged, like oh well, no PR but I feel GREAT.

Mile 7: The hip started to feel awful. The hill up to East Ohio Street to the 16th Street Bridge was long and I walked a bit more than I like to admit. I stopped to stretch my hip and catch some breaths. The rest of the course was exactly what I’d trained on and my body knew it, but I was also scared I’d quit when I saw Greg and the kids again at the end of this mile. I stopped to high five my five hearts at the end of 16th Street Bridge and tell Greg I was in a bit of pain. But no pain, no gain.

Mile 8: Penn Avenue is my training grounds. I swore I’d have done better, but the rain started. There were also spectators and a lot of volunteers/medics in this section due to the switchback we did onto Smallman and Penn to get back to Liberty. I remember a biker almost hitting me during that switch and a police trying to stop them from being on the course with no avail. Oops!

Mile 9: I walked the first and last minutes of this mile. It is what it is. At that point, my hip was burning and I needed it. The rain started to come down and I was pretty much soaked. I love running in the rain, but not when I’m hurting! This flat stretch of Liberty seemed excruciatingly long, but I could see the mile 9 timer ahead!

Mile 10: I told myself to just run this thing and I did. My FitBit says around 11:30 to 11:04/mile when I was pushing it. I jumped into a puddle. I swore I saw a rainbow over the EQT building. I saw the family again but needed to put my head down and RUN. I couldn’t do the math as I crossed but I knew I beat my goal of under 13:00/mile and was ecstatic.

After the race, I grabbed my medal and heat sheet (so glad I did) and a banana (gosh, I’ve missed these with Keto, but I needed it for my sluggish legs as they started to cramp quickly). Some Gatorade (again, not Keto but my ear was ringing and I appreciated the sugar shock for a moment) and water then my bubbly from Barefoot over at BRGR. I didn’t even turn on my phone to meet up with Greg and the kids because I just wanted to do all the post-race things quickly…thunder was rolling and lightning started soon after!

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It’s time for the final post in my 2017 half marathon journey – the race recap! ()

It’s hard to believe that almost a week has gone by since the 2017 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon (in which I ran my second Half Marathon). Life has been super busy ever since the weekend of the race and has finally slowed down enough for me to breathe and think about the run. It’s race recap time!

Race Recap – The Prep

The Flat Lay: It’s tradition before a race to put together your race outfit, the flat lay. I put Flat Becky together before we headed to dinner, but this is when my nerves set it. I knew I’d be a mix of cold then hot and I started to freak out. I decided to go with my Fila pants (with some mesh around the calves) and the work running t-shirt, nothing under or over it. But maybe something under it. Or not. (I’d decide later that night to go with my 2013 Turkey Trot long sleeve under it, a decision I now regret). The Bigs asked that I wear my hat, which I was perfectly fine with as the day looked like it might be a bit rainy and overcast (in hindsight, ha).

Carb-Loading Dinner: Work put on a beautiful dinner at the St. Clair Country Club, but I was challenged by the carb-loading part of race day prep (thanks to my body’s dislike of gluten since Whole30). I gave in and had some tortellini and even though I sort of regretted it that night, I did not regret the energy the next morning. Greg and I got all fancy but forgot to grab a photo with our phones.

Sleep: Plain and simple, it came super easy. Big props to my mom who stayed the night so we could sneak in (although Isla and Arianna woke on our arrival) and out. With about 6 hours of sleep, I figured this would bode well.

Race Recap – Before the Start

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Follow along with me as I share my half marathon journey – I’ll be running my second half in Pittsburgh this May – with weekly updates. ()

Well, here it goes! Tapering is upon us. I’ve slowed down in impact and duration and am trying not to scream every morning that it’s X days until the Half. But I can’t help it, this is quite exciting for me! This time next week, I’ll be at dinner with my co-workers (and Greg), relaxing before a quick sleep and the race. I’m pretty much ready, but need to go for prayers tomorrow and have my dad and mom pray with us on Saturday. Otherwise, I’m feeling awesome – keep reading to hear how this week went!

Monday 4/24: I felt like lightning. Today was a quick three miles at lunch, my normal path along the course that I’ll run next Sunday. This three had me in tears. Is this real life? Distance: 3.04 miles Pace: 12’35” per mile

Tuesday 4/25: Back at it for YFit – and I almost forgot to snag a picture of the board! Don’t be fooled. This one looks easy, but it wasn’t. “Bonus”? I felt my first ever bar blister pop as I walked from the pull-up bar back to my weights. I might have shed a tear.

I was able to do a few burpees without the help of the wall or bench, but 85% of them were heavy modified. 🙁 Bummer. The Thrusters took a lot out of me, then I did 115 on deadlifts – probably my heaviest weight yet! The ab work at the end was painful but in a good way – weighted pilates crunches (idk the real name, but that’s what it felt like), l-sits (I held a bow position on the ground because my hand hurt BAD at that point), and ball holds. Ouch!

Wednesday 4/26: I thought last week was THE run. This was a hot one, but I was not distracted by the sun or my mind. This was awesome. There is really nothing more to say but pray I can get my pace closer to this for race day! Distance: 3 miles Pace: 12’22” per mile

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Follow along with me as I share my half marathon journey – I’ll be running my second half in Pittsburgh this May – with weekly updates. ()

You guys. This week has been a true test. I got the sickness and simply couldn’t deal. Like sat on my bed and cried until I fell asleep couldn’t deal. Eep. Regardless, this Half is happening with or without me!

Training Plan Status

Saturday 4/15: Considering that I was the lone person in my house who had not gotten sick at this point, it took all I had to go for this 10-miler. I didn’t eat breakfast before (fail) and I didn’t hydrate during (because I was sold that if I stopped for my water I would stop for the rest of the run). I just listened to my heart and did what I could! Even though I do not love my pace, I love my stamina. Distance: 10 miles Pace: 13’41”

Sunday 4/16: Rest

Monday 4/17: Sick!

Tuesday 4/18: Sick!

Wednesday 4/19: The run. THE run. This might be the run that defines me as I grow in my running journey. I was super consistent, felt full of breath and life. Distance: 4 miles Pace: 12’37”

Thursday 4/20: I felt winded from my only full day in the office, but it was my

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Follow along with me as I share my half marathon journey – I’ll be running my second half in Pittsburgh this May – with weekly updates. ()

When you have a goal in mind…big things happen. And when you have God on your side? Those things are even bigger. This week wasn’t my fastest week ever, but it was a week full of heart.

Training Plan Status

Saturday 4/8: Oh, what a glorious day for a run! It was Evan’s soccer opening day but cold and wet in the morning so I held out until the afternoon. Thankfully my family met me on the trail twice with water because that sun came OUT. In fact, I have a not so lovely tan line from where my sunscreen wasn’t applied and the sun hit my back. Oops. And the shin? No pain. None. Nada. Zilch. Feeling so good. (Well…minus breaking in the new shoes and getting a heal blister – time for larger socks! – and realizing my broken toe from 2013 still hasn’t healed properly. Oops.) Distance: 9 miles Pace: 13’15” (that’s -23 seconds per mile from last week!)

Sunday 4/9: Rode to Wisconsin and it was my birthday.

Monday 4/10: The hills were alive in Wisconsin. I used Map My Run and found a 4-mile path from the resort but it was more hill than I wanted to do. It was also almost 65 degrees at 8 in the morning and I was feeling it. This one included some getting lost and more walking than I’d done in a while. But that pace is a thing! Distance: 4 miles Pace: 13’14”

Tuesday 4/11: You sometimes have to live. Today I lived and celebrated my birthday because Sunday wasn’t a great one. My exercise was walking around a zoo and feeding my belly with Wisconsin goodies.

Wednesday 4/12: This time I conquered the path from Map My Run and did the whole four miles as prescribed. Up hills. Down hills. Up again. In the cold. I mean 30 degrees and the only thing I had on me for running was a pair of capris and some tank tops cold. Thank goodness I was willing to wear a hoodie because cold. But it moved me. And I spent some time talking to God about this whole running thing. I mean, who gets up on vacation and gladly runs four miles in the cold? A committed me. Distance: 4 miles Pace: 13’04”

Thursday 4/13: Back home for YFit. Just when you think that the workout wasn’t that bad, the cash out is to run a mile and do 100 weighted sit-ups. Kiera gave the option for us to stay inside and do something on a machine if we didn’t want to run – and because I didn’t have my new shoes with me and am pretty convinced the shin splint is from my worn out shoes I had on me at YFit, I stayed inside and did my cash out on the bike (1 mile) then because I felt like I’d wimped out of running did 400 on the treadmill in 2:45 (so under an 11-minute mile pace). It still hurts to cough or laugh after those sit ups.

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Follow along with me as I share my half marathon journey – I’ll be running my second half in Pittsburgh this May – with weekly updates. ()

Whoa, buddy. This has been a week. It’s probably the most emotional week yet in terms of beating myself up for timing. Perspective, I need to keep in mind the bigger picture.

Training Plan Status

Saturday 4/1: I will probably never do a “hey it’s raining and not my day to train” run again, at least not until after race day. Pulling off an 8-miler after a cold, rainy run the day before just didn’t feel great. Set the headphones on medium, the prayers on high, and might have cried a bit during this one. In the end, I was pretty consistent with my (crappy for me at this point in training) pace. Two of the miles took over 14 minutes – GAH. The final, right in my sweet spot for race day, was 12’57”. Sometimes we need these runs, eh? Distance: 8 miles Pace: 13’38”

Sunday 4/2: Rested it up.

Monday 4/3: Today I ran off some frustration around coordinating all the things for kids’ activities. First mile was definitely in anger, logging a 12’55”. After that, I slowed it down and listened to my shin. Ouch. Distance: 3 miles Pace: 13’15”

Tuesday 4/4: YFit. It was a birthday WOD for Chris, and I’m so glad for it. With 400’s and 49 reps, this one burned in all the right ways. Sadly, I couldn’t do the weighted step-ups on the box and had to revert to the metal dowel-rod type bar for the last set of hang cleans because my shin was just done. Done.

Wednesday 4/5: This run about did me in with the trail. My gut told me not to go past the sewage plant toward Ford City, so instead I ran along some businesses, tried to navigate the FLOODED park sidewalks and stopped for at least two minutes at the Market-and-Water intersection. I was not happy and I should have been. That sun! That sweat! (That sunscreen in my eyeballs…) Lessons learned, yo. Distance: 3 miles Pace: 13’27”

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Follow along with me as I share my half marathon journey – I’ll be running my second half in Pittsburgh this May – with weekly updates. ()

Anyone else still feeling the effect of Daylight Saving Time? Truth be told, I cruised into work on Monday because yinz’all were sleeping in, but by Thursday I was right there with you. In the last two days, I hit snooze at least 27 times and I am so ready for bed as I’m typing up this post tonight. But, a deal is a deal, and I’m committed to this training and sharing of the plan!

Training Plan Status

Saturday: YFit 17.3 workout had my hands hurting. I still can’t do pull-ups, so I went to the rings when I realized I’d be doing something over 100 of them. There was a point where I almost fell backward doing the squat snatches, but it triggered something in me to make this more than a cross-training addition. I think it’s time to admit, even though I have a long way to go, that I really like CrossFit.

Sunday: Fought with my running app (Nike+) and compared it to my FitBit, S-Health, and MapMyRun to determine I ended up doing 5.34 miles on the trail at an 13:17 pace (1 hour 11 minutes, 11 minutes of that were walking). I WAS ECSTATIC. I was also COLD.

Monday: Full out run at work, 4 miles at 13:22. Still proud.

Tuesday: YFit + ab work that still has me hurting when I laugh.

Wednesday: 4 miles on the dreadmill at the Y. My first 1.5 miles were in the low 12-minute pace but then my head got the best of me and I slowed it down. By 2 miles I decided to kick up the incline and really slow down the pace (to about 14:30) for a mile before leveling off and doing a 12:45 mile.

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raising kids in Pittsburgh

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Hi! We are the 'lil Burghers, a family that loves living "oh so close" to Pittsburgh. You'll hear a lot here from Becky, aka Mom, but Dad (Greg) and the kids make appearances, too. We love sharing things to do in Pittsburgh with kids as well as toy and book reviews. Read more about us!